Carrier and display for rolled material



Dec; 24, 1963 w, J CUPQ CARRIER AND DISPLAY FOR ROLLED MATERIAL Filed May 13, 1960 a A yhgu we 2 United States Patent 3,115,376 CAREER AND DISPLAY FGR ROLLED MATERIAL William I. Cupo, Linden, Null, assignor to Nor-cross Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 13, 1960, Ser. No. 29,010 7 Claims. (Cl. 312-35) This invention relates to a carrier for rolled material and more particularly to a carrier and display support for a group of rolls of material preferably wound on hollow cores, which allows material from a selected roll to be easily dispensed while the roll remains supported.

In the merchandising and selling of rolls of material, of which a variety of sizes, colors, widths and other characteristics are often desired by the user, it is advantageous to provide a unitary package which offers a selection of various types and qualities of the material. This is es pecially desirable for material used by the householder for decoratively tying or wrapping packages, such as ribbon, tape, cord, paper and the like. Heretofore, conventional packages containing a variety of the rolled material were offered, but once these packages were opened, the different rolls of material easily became separated and possibly misplaced. Further, since normally both hands of the user were required to unroll the material, it was difficult to correctly estimate the length of material needed with the annoying result that either too much or too little of the material was dispensed.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier for a group of rolls of a material which allows a selected roll to be unrolled by the user for accurately dispensing the quantity of the material that is desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide a support for rolls of material, so as to provide material in a variety of forms, colors or characteristics in a form ready to be used, which allows the rolls to be inspected in a glance so as to quickly determine the material wanted.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a carrier rotatably holding a series of rolls of a material, which allows display of various forms of the material in an eye-pleasing manner and allows easy storage of the carrier in retail establishments as well as in the home.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support structure on which a group of rolls of material can be supported and locked thereon without interfering with the rotation of the rolls while the material is dispensed.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a unitary support structure capable of being made of inexpensive, flexible material which is so braced and constructed so that it can support a group of rolls of material weighing many times more than the support structure itself.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a novel unitary support for a plurality of rolls of material which is capable of accomplishing all of the above, and yet which is simple in construction and easy to form and use, inexpensive to produce, and is capable of mass production.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment selected for illustration in the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective elevational View of the assembled carrier and support showing one roll of material mounted in dispensing position;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, sectional view, partially broken away, showing one embodiment for locking the roll on the carrier support; and

3,115,376 Patented Dec. 24, 1963 FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the blank employed to form the support structure shown in FIGURES l and 2.

The structure herein disclosed is adapted to support, transport and dispense rolls of material, such as tapes, ribbon, cord, wire, paper and the like, which are preferably mounted on hollow core reels. The carton illustrated involves a simple locking structure for the rolls of material which has the additional function of mildly resisting rotation of the rolls as the material is withdrawn therefrom, so as to prevent the material from unrolling unintentionally, as well as resiliently retaining each roll in fixed position as the support structure is handled.

The support structure can be made of any suitable, fiat sheet material, but in deference to the cost factor, it is preferably made of a fiberous material, such as thin cardboard. The complete assembly is illustrated generally at It in FIGURE 1. The full details of the container blank are clearly shown in FIGURE 3, from which it will be seen that the blank is a single piece structure which can be easily stamped by automatic machinery.

The illustrated embodiment as disclosed in the figures in which like numerals indicate like parts, is made from a single blank of material shown generally at 12, which when assembled, provides the support and display structure of the present invention. Blank 12 is scored or otherwise provided with spaced fold lines 14 which divide the blank longitudinally into four panels 16, 17, 18 and 19, with opposite panels having the same width. Ad vantageously, where rolls of the same general diameter are to be supported, all panels are of the same width, as is shown. On the opposite free ends of panel 16 and defined by score lines 21 are extensions or flaps 23 and 25. At the outermost edges of flaps 23 and 25 respectively and defined by score lines 27 are tabs 29 and 31 respectively, which are the retaining members as will be discussed below. In a similar manner on the opposite free ends of panel 17 are flaps 33 and 35 each having a tab 37 and 39 respectively on their free edge. Similarly, panel 18 has extensions or flaps 4-1 and 43 extending from opposite edges with flaps 41 and 43 each respectively having a tab 45 and 47 extending therefrom. Also panel 1? has flaps 49 and 51 extending from its opposite edges with flaps 4 and 51 each having a tab 53 and 55 extending respectively therefrom. While all of the flaps, as shown, extend outwardly the same distance from their respective fold lines since the support as shown is for rolls of the same diameter, each pair of flaps extending from one of the panels may advantageously vary in depth from the other pair of flaps to accommodate diiferent diameter rolls, as will be discussed below. Also, while the flaps are shown rectangular in shape, other shapes may conveniently be used. As best seen in FIGURE 3, tab 53 on flap 49 has ears 53A and 53B extending transversely therefrom. Similarly, tab 55 on flap 51 has ears 55A and 55B extending transversely therefrom. While not indicated, tabs 29, 31, 37, 39, 45 and 47 also have ears extending therefrom. Advantageously, the bottom surfaces of the tabs are disposed from their respective fold lines 27 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the end walls of the rolled member as will be shown below.

Formed in panel 18 is a rectangular area or strap 59 defined by a substantially U-shaped slit 60. Area 59 is foldable about fold line 6-1. The edge of area 59 opposite fold line 61 has a tab 63 extending therefrom. Panel 16 which is opposite panel 18 in assembled position, has a slit 65 therein arranged to receive tab 63 on area 59 for detachably connecting or interlocking the panels together when the blank is folded to assume the position as shown in FIGURE 1. Advantageously, area 59 is made the full width of panel 18, so as to better brace 3 support 10, as will be discussed below but other widths may also be used. Area 59 may be placed in any panel.

Along the longitudinal free end of panel 16 and defined by score line 54 is sleeve securing flap 56.

To assemble the structure, blank 12 is folded along longitudinal fold lines 14 to form a rectangular, elongated central support indicated generally at 72 in FIGURE 1. Flap 56 is folded into overlapping relation with the area of panel 19 adjacent the longitudinal free edge of panel 19 and is glued or otherwise secured to this area. Extensions 23- and 25 are folded outwardly at substantially right angles to side panel 16. Similarly pairs of extensions 33 and 35, 41 and 43, and i9 and 51, are folded outwardly at substantially right angles to panels 17, 13 and 19 respectively. Strap 59 is folded inwardly with looking tab 63 cooperating with slit 65 in panel 16, for anchoring strap 59 in position a sis shown best in FIGURE 1. Reinforcing area 59 thus braces and strengthens elongated central support 72 and prevents its cross section from being distorted when holding a roll of material in position, as indicated generally at 75. Preferably, roll 75 includes a hollow cylindrical core 77 having a pair of end pieces 79 and 81 respectively forming a spool 82. End pieces 79 and 81 each has a central opening therein, 83 and 85 respectively, which are preferably coaxial to the axis of core 77 and communicates therewith. The core has material wound thereon, such as tape, ribbon, paper, wire, cord or the like. Core 77 is illustratively shown as having a predetermined length of narrow ribbon 8 7 wound thereon, but other widths or shapes may also be used. A roll of ribbon is mounted to rotate between the top and bottom flap extensions of each panel, with the axis of the roll being spaced from and parallel to the axis of the panel, such as roll 75 and panel 19 as shown in FIGURE 1. Tab 53 on extension 49 is folded along fold line 27 with its outer ears 53A and 53B flexed to- Ward each other and tab 53 sprung through opening 83 in upper edge 79' of spool 75. In a similar manner tab 55 of extension 51 is bent substantially at right angles along score line 27 with its outer ears 55A and 55B flexed inwardly and sprung through opening 85 in the bottom end piece 81 of roll 75. As seen best in FIGURES 1 and 2 the outer ears 53A and 53B of tab 53 and ears 55A and 55B of tab 55 return substantially to their normal shape, and the lower surfaces of the outer ears of the tabs are preferably juxtaposed to the inner surfaces of their respective coacting end pieces, as shown best in FIG- URE 2, and thus roll 75 is locked in place yet being turnable on the support. Advantageously, extensions 49' and 51 are of a depth slightly greater than the radius of the end pieces 79 and 81 of spool 82, thus allowing roll 75 to be rotated without engaging support 72, as the tape or ribbon or other material is dispensed. in unrolling ribbon 87, roll 75 is rotated against the mild resistance formed by the frictional engagement of the inner surfaces of tabs 53 and 55 with end walls 7? and till respectively of spool 82. Hence roll 75 can not be unintentionally unrolled during movement or while dispensing material from the other supported rolls.

In a similar manner, spools containing a variety of other material or other forms, colors, or other characteristics of the same material may be positioned adjacent panels 16, 17 and 18 between their respective extensions 23 and 25, 33 and 35 and 41 and 43, with the tabs on each of these extensions being sprung through the openings in the opposite end walls of each respective spool so as to rotatably support these spools.

' While the embodiment disclosed shows a supporting structure for four rolls of material, other embodiments supporting various quantities of rolled material may be made. Also, while a central support member having a rectangular cross section was shown, it may be made in other geometric forms such as circular or polygonal in shape.

The tabs, while shown foldable for insertion into the Al core of the rolled materlal, may be of other shapes or forms, such as made from a compressible material which is of larger size than the openings but which can be compressed and forced through the opening so as to be retained therein.

As an aid to displaying these supporting structures in commercial or retail establishments, bracing area 59 may have an aperture 98 therein which permits a group of these supports to be placed along a rod and displayed to the purchasing public with a minimum of space. Further the present construction allows the stacking of groups of rolls in an easy manner. Also straps or other carrying structures may be conveniently attached or mounted onto the central support structure 72, such as mounted to its inner surface adjacent an end.

If desired, the rolls of material may have dust covers about the outer peripheral surface to prevent soilage. Also, the ribbon or other material may be supported within a package or container which is mounted on the support structure, so that the ribbon or other material may be withdrawn from the roll while the roll is contained within the package. If the rolled material is easily cut, such as paper or twine, a cutting edge may be axially mounted so as to detach the desired dispensed material from the roll.

A novel structure is disclosed that achieves several advantages. Rolls of material providing a variety of characteristics and forms can be sold as a unit and still be easily displayed, transported and used.

From the above description it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter of this invention is capable of some variations within the obvious skill of the art and it is an object therefore not to be limited to the specific construction selected for illustrative purposes but to instructions within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsed support structure for erection into a sleeve having a rectangular cross section and open ends for supporting four generally cylindrical members having end walls with apertures therein each connecting a recess in said member of a diameter larger than its respective aperture, the support comprising four rectangular panels with alternate panels being of equal width, extensions on opposite edges of each of said panels for forming supports for said members, the panels being defined by longitudinal fold lines, and each extension being defined by transverse fold lines normal to the longitudinal fold lines, tabs integrally and foldably connected to said extension along respective fold lines each of said tab fold lines being disposed from its respective extension fold line a distance slightly greater than the radius of said end walls of the members .to be supported, said tabs having flexible lateral extensions of overall diameter greater than the diameter of said aperture in the corresponding end wall of said cylindrical member, the inwardly facing surface of said lateral extensions on each of said tabs being substantially the same distance from the tab fold line as the thickness of the cooperating end walls of said members, whereby said extensions on each of said panels may be folded outwardly for overlying the end walls of a member, the extensions on said tabs being flexed inwardly and folding said tab towards the adjacent end wall while inserting said extension through the aperture in said end wall for rotatably locking said members in parallel spaced relationship with said sleeve.

2. A support structure as in claim 1 wherein one of said panels has a cut therein defining a strap with a tab integral thereto, said strap being foldable about a fold line and extending over to an opposite panel, the opposite panel being provided with means coacting with said tab on said strap and connecting the panels together for bracing said sleeve.

3. A holder for rotatably supporting a plurality of cylindrical articles, each having a hollow core with end walls having apertures therein communicating with said core, said holder being formed from a single blank of paperboard material folded along spaced longitudinally disposed score lines to provide a sleeve having a plurality of side panels, said blank being suitably cut and transversely scored to provide flaps extending from opposite ends of selected ones of said panels and locking tabs on each of said flaps, said flaps being folded outwardly from their corresponding panel and adapted to overlie an end wall of one of said articles, said tabs being folded at an angle to their respective flaps and adapted to extend inwardly through corresponding apertures into said cores for cooperating with the end walls of said articles for holding said articles in rotatably fixed position relative to said sleeve.

4. A holder as in claim 3 wherein one of said panels has a cut therein defining a strap with a tab integral thereto, said strap being foldable about a fold line and extending over to an opposite panel, the opposite panel being provided with means coacting with said tab on said strap and connecting the panels together for bracing said sleeve,

5. A package comprising a central support sleeve including a plurality of panels, a plurality of cylindrical rolls disposed about said sleeve adjacent a corresponding panel, each of said rolls having a hollow cylindrical core with end walls having apertures therein communicating with said core, a flap hingedly connected to each of opposite edges of each of said panels adjoining a roll and overlying a respective end wall of said corresponding roll,

and resilient means hingedly connected to each of said flaps and extending through the apertures in the adjacent end walls of said rolls and slidably engaging the inner surfaces thereof when folded at an angle to its respective flap from which it is folded, whereby each roll is rotatably supported between a pair of flaps in spaced parallel relation to its adjacent panel.

6. A package as in claim 5 wherein said means comprises a tab integral with its respective flap and having a lateral extension thereon spaced a predetermined distance from the hinged connection with said flap.

7. A package as in claim 6 and further including reinforcing means for said sleeve, said means including a strap having one edge hingedly mounted to the inner surface of one of said panels and extending over the opposite panel, support means integral with said strap, and said opposite panel having means coacting With said support means on said strap for connecting said panels together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,367,685 Cohn Feb. 8, 1921 1,947,746 Thomson Feb. 20, 1934 2,735,631 Sexton Feb. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 66,086 Norway Apr. 12, 1943 

1. A COLLAPSED SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR ERECTION INTO A SLEEVE HAVING A RECTANGULAR CROSS SECTION AND OPEN ENDS FOR SUPPORTING FOUR GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS HAVING END WALLS WITH APERTURES THEREIN EACH CONNECTING A RECESS IN SAID MEMBER OF A DIAMETER LARGER THAN ITS RESPECTIVE APERTURE, THE SUPPORT COMPRISING FOUR RECTANGULAR PANELS WITH ALTERNATE PANELS BEING OF EQUAL WIDTH, EXTENSIONS ON OPPOSITE EDGES OF EACH OF SAID PANELS FOR FORMING SUPPORTS FOR SAID MEMBERS, THE PANELS BEING DEFINED BY LONGITUDINAL FOLD LINES, AND EACH EXTENSION BEING DEFINED BY TRANSVERSE FOLD LINES NORMAL TO THE LONGITUDINAL FOLD LINES, TABS INTEGRALLY AND FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID EXTENSION ALONG RESPECTIVE FOLD LINES EACH OF SAID TAB FOLD LINES BEING DISPOSED FROM ITS RESPECTIVE EXTENSION FOLD LINE A DISTANCE SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE RADIUS OF SAID END WALLS OF THE MEMBERS TO BE SUPPORTED, SAID TABS HAVING FLEXIBLE LATERAL EXTENSIONS OF OVERALL DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER 